Elizabeth Allen: Surprise Switch

To back up his contention that Precinct 2 Commissioner Paul Elizondo is out of touch with his constituents, candidate Enrique Barrera offered up the president of the Bridgewood Homeowners Association.

That man, Mark Herrera, complained that Elizondo was not helpful in 2002 when the group was fighting annexation, but then-city councilman Barrera, who did not represent the unincorporated area and wouldn’t even if it had been annexed, did help them.

Elizondo bills himself as the experienced candidate. He has been working with the neighborhood and others on the issue of fire protection, which Helotes no longer wishes to provide outside its city limits to the rapidly growing area. But Elizondo hasn’t promised them the certainty they’d like, Herrera and two other members said. Barrera, who has city and school board experience but none at the county level, has.

Barrera’s approach has worked — perhaps to the surprise of Elizondo.

When told of Barrera’s allegations that he was out of touch, Elizondo produced the names of supporters who could vouch for his hard work in the precinct. They were the leaders of Bridgewood Homeowners Association.